Aaron Rubel World Record | I Cast In a Yak

Sometimes disappointment needs unwrapped to discover something so much better. Monday, I was fishing Mobile Bay in my Hobie Outback kayak. As I mentioned in the last blog entry, January is not the month I lead with the fly. So, upon a routine cast of a white soft plastic curly tail on a 1/8 oz jighead with my 7′ Medium TFO Signature Series baitcasting rod, a sudden thud rushed anticipation through my left arm and into my recently reconstructed shoulder.

The fish leaped in the air and gave a good long fight until finally brought into the kayak. When I lifted the fish out of the water, my first impression was focused on the silver colored sides and hook jaw that resembled a juvenile tarpon. Could this be my second baby tarpon caught in waters of Mobile Bay in last year and a half?

After a few pictures and release of fish, I went on fishing and was already thinking forward to a story of yet another tarpon caught and released in home waters. After arriving home later and sharing the day’s events, I had some feedback that the fish didn’t look quite right for a tarpon. So, after receiving input from friends, I made inquiry to the knowledgeable folks at the Alabama State Marine Resources Division. After being convinced by friends I hadn’t caught a tarpon and doing some further research, I wasn’t 100% sure whether I had caught a Skipjack herring, Alosa chrysochloris or an Alabama shad, Alosa alabamae. A quick reply gave definitive feedback that the fish I had caught was the Skipjack herring, Alosa chrysochloris. The first of a new species on my list of fish caught.

Upon review of the Kayak Fishing World Records, managed by YakAngler.com, it was clear that I may have an opportunity at claiming my second record. Indeed, after submitting application with accompanying photos, I received notification today that I am the new Kayak Fishing World Record Holder for the species of Skipjack herring, Alosa chrysochloris!

Link to record: http://www.yakangler.com/length-record-list/item/2860-herring-skipjack

Skipjack herring 3

“There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number – living things large and small.” –Psalm 104:25

Today, I am thankful for a small creature that gave me a big smile and a story to tell.

Thank you to Kayak Angler Magazine for also running this story: https://www.rapidmedia.com/kayak-fishing/categories/news/2322-kayak-fishing-world-record%E2%80%93skipjack-herring.html

Kayak Fishing World Record Ladyfish caught by Angler and IcastInaYak blogger Aaron Rubel
Photographer: Matt Jones

Feeling very excited to be informed this week that the Ladyfish I caught and blogged about last year was granted the Kayak Fishing World Record! The fish measured 21.35″ from nose to center fork of tail, which is the official dimension considered for record. The total length of the fish from nose to end of tail was 24.25″. I caught the fish on an olive and white Clouser Minnow fly on the west side of Perdido Bay in Alabama.

The one thing I didn’t mention in my blog entry last year was that I caught four Ladyfish that day, all relatively similar in size. I know, I know. However, there were five friends fishing with me as my witness! A fun day of fishing, for sure.

And so as the blog was entitled a year ago, I guess a poor man’s tarpon (Ladyfish) truly will be treasured for a lifetime.

Click here to link to the listing of the Kayak Fishing World Record Ladyfish

Thank you to the Kayak Fishing World Records at YakAngler.com, and especially Hobie Fishing, Maui Jim Sunglasses, and Fairhope Boat Company.

Kayak: Hobie Pro Angler 12
Sunglasses: Maui Jim Hanalei frame with gray lenses

I Cast In a Yak

by Aaron Rubel about Adventures in Kayak Fishing and Fly Fishing

Tag Archives: Aaron Rubel World Record

Kayak Fishing World Record – Skipjack herring

Kayak Fishing World Record Ladyfish!